The False Depiction Of Romantic Relationships In Movies

The motion picture production code of 1930 introduced the world to the “happy ending.” This law forced Hollywood directors only to produce movies in which the female protagonist had a happy and romantic relationship with the male protagonist, while the antagonist was always defeated and received the justice the protagonist deemed worthy, and everyone lived happily ever after (Hayes 2009). The concept of a fairytale ending has existed since the establishment of motion pictures and has played an irrefutable role in shaping the “true” meaning of romance through out countless generations. Nowadays, acquiring appropriate romantic skills are vital to developmental functions of adolescence (Eggermont, 2004). However, its proceeding idolization has

However, impractical expectations of the various types of romantic relationships that are portrayed affects every real (non-scripted) relationship which is based on these false ideals. According to Bjarne Holmes, Ph.D. from the Champlain College in Vermont, “Hollywood films are implanting a sense of a “perfect” relationship within society, as well as providing unrealistic expectations about romance into the minds of the viewers” (Jeter-Smith, 2015). Hollywood has been portraying romantic relationships since the dawn of motion pictures, and this has greatly impacted societies perception of reality by influencing the stimulus that the scenes intake. This potentially created the cycle of positive intention turning into negative consequences. Holmes’ results on common themes that are influenced by romantic stimulus justifies his declaration, with participants stating that if their relationship fails to replicate those that are depicted in movies and television, then it is not worth their time nor energy (Jeter-Smith, 2015). With unrealistic expectations inadvertently influencing people’s ideals and perceptions of a real relationship, society’s ability to maintain real romantic relationships has significantly